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Recent rumors and gossip about College Basketballen-usLeonard Hamilton: Tournament chaos is sign of ‘revolution’Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton thinks the round of NCAA Tournament upsets is simply a sign of things to come — and evidence that college basketball has changed.Hamilton said after his ninth-seeded Seminoles upset top-seeded Xavier that recruiting rankings and seeds matter less and less as talent spreads out across the country.
“I think what you see happening in college basketball, it’s almost like a revolution,” Hamilton said, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN. “What happens is, you start categorizing people by the reputation that their players get going into college. But in reality, kids are playing basketball all over the country and teams are getting better. Just because maybe they might not be in one particular conference or maybe they’re not considered to be one of the more traditional rich schools, people are playing basketball.
“See, sometimes the team that’s the most talented might not necessarily win the game. It’s the team that’s playing well at that particular time.”
Even if that’s true, few could19 Mar 2018 20:12:19 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/leonard_hamilton_believes_tournament_chaos_is_sign_of_revolution/s1_127_25983725
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/leonard_hamilton_believes_tournament_chaos_is_sign_of_revolution/s1_127_25983725Leonard Hamilton: Tournament chaos is sign of ‘revolution’http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/leonard_hamilton_believes_tournament_chaos_is_sign_of_revolution/s1_127_25983725http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/4/a4e45c3306838054fd199d5fdbb96b9b4e6ebfe4/top_story/10707653.jpgPenny Hardaway to become next Memphis coachFormer NBA star Penny Hardaway was a stud in college playing for Memphis before his pro career kicked off. Now he’s headed back to where it all started to coach the Memphis men’s basketball program, per Jeff Goodwin of ESPN.Hardaway willl replace Tubby Smith, per the report, and a press conference is expected to announce the move on Tuesday.Memphis’ basketball program needs a spark in the worst way, having missed out on the NCAA Tournament the past four years running. Under Smith, the Tigers went 40-26, but they didn’t make any postseason tournaments and attendance is down, per the report.Hardaway has coaching experience, having coached AAU teams and Memphis East High School, where he won three state titles in a row. No doubt, he’ll have a positive impact on recruiting, and a lot will be expected of him to turn this program around.19 Mar 2018 20:13:46 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/report_penny_hardaway_to_become_next_memphis_basketball_coach/s1_12680_25982384
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/report_penny_hardaway_to_become_next_memphis_basketball_coach/s1_12680_25982384Penny Hardaway to become next Memphis coachhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/report_penny_hardaway_to_become_next_memphis_basketball_coach/s1_12680_25982384http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/8/1814ff8d12b78418e6d8a109197fbec94dfb7553/top_story/9826117.jpgCincinnati blew game despite 99.9 percent win probabilityWondering how big of a choke job Cincinnati executed against Nevada on Sunday? The stats are doing them no favors.ESPN’s metrics which track win probability assigned Cincinnati a 99.9 percent win probability after they went up 65-43 with 11:17 left in the game. Gambletron had them at a 99.5 percent win probability: Another chart shows how rapidly things changed: What this tells us is pretty much what you saw: that was a 1 in 1,000 comeback by Nevada, at least.Based on how good Cincinnati’s defense is supposed to be and how big their lead was with how little time remained in the game, the likelihood of Nevada coming back was next to nothing. Yet they won it 75-73.Mick Cronin and his crew won’t live this one down for a long time.19 Mar 2018 01:07:46 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/cincinnati_blew_game_despite_999_percent_win_probability/s1_127_25978499
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/cincinnati_blew_game_despite_999_percent_win_probability/s1_127_25978499Cincinnati blew game despite 99.9 percent win probabilityhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/cincinnati_blew_game_despite_999_percent_win_probability/s1_127_25978499http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/3/b3f47bc3ab3830d0a08f3a949f889d5758c3761d/top_story/GettyImages-933773524.jpgJordan Poole made nearly identical buzzer-beater in H.S.This whole buzzer-beater thing apparently is nothing new for Jordan Poole.Poole sunk a game-winning shot at the buzzer last year in high school in a shot that looked oh so familiar. Take a look at this: Poole’s La Lumiere High School went 28-1 last year and was the No. 1 school in Indiana. On Saturday, Poole sunk a buzzer-beater to top Houston and send Michigan to the Sweet 16.When he flails those legs, big things happen.19 Mar 2018 01:07:39 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jordan_poole_made_a_nearly_identical_buzzer_beater_in_high_school/s1_127_25976729
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jordan_poole_made_a_nearly_identical_buzzer_beater_in_high_school/s1_127_25976729Jordan Poole made nearly identical buzzer-beater in H.S.http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jordan_poole_made_a_nearly_identical_buzzer_beater_in_high_school/s1_127_25976729http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/6/368ef68bbc467d2429606d86d2506e75894ec518/top_story/10716404.jpgJim Boeheim thinks playing in Detroit hurt Michigan StateThe Michigan State Spartans missed their last 14 shots in their upset loss to the Syracuse Orange on Sunday, and many will credit Jim Boeheim’s famed 2-3 zone for causing the Spartans all those problems.Boeheim, however, thinks there was another factor in play — namely that the Spartans playing in Detroit in front of a partisan crowd hindered them as the pressure was cranked up. It’s an interesting view of things. Most would automatically assume having a crowd like that behind you in what is supposed to be a neutral site game would only help, but the Michigan State players may well have felt the growing tension in the building from their sizable following as they struggled to hit shots down the stretch.Of course, many would argue that Boeheim’s late-game strategy had much more to do with the Syracuse win than any crowd factors.19 Mar 2018 01:07:30 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_thinks_playing_in_detroit_hurt_michigan_state/s1_127_25977260
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_thinks_playing_in_detroit_hurt_michigan_state/s1_127_25977260Jim Boeheim thinks playing in Detroit hurt Michigan Statehttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_thinks_playing_in_detroit_hurt_michigan_state/s1_127_25977260http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/a/bab6ebc3280f069eb3909397f5b25b0ac08756f9/top_story/10717175.jpgNevada's comeback win over Cincinnati more improbable than Patriots' Super Bowl LI winHow improbable was it that Cincinnati was toppled by Nevada on Sunday during the Round of 32?Well, it was more improbable than the famed Super Bowl LI 28-3 comeback the New England Patriots engineered over the Atlanta Falcons. If you remember, that Patriots win was pure insanity. Yet this somehow was even more incredible.The Bearcats had the Wolf Pack on the ropes, up 22 points with about 11 minutes to play. Then Nevada went on a 32-8 run to close out the game, winning by two points and sparking a Twitter riot as people reveled in the glorious comeback.As incredible as that is all by itself, ESPN Stats & Info points out it also means this is the first time since 1979 than none of the South Region’s Top 4 seeds advance to the Sweet 16.This year’s NCAA Tournament truly embodies March Madness. All we can say is, may we please have some more?18 Mar 2018 20:51:56 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/nevada_8217s_comeback_win_over_cincinnati_more_improbable_than_patriots_8217_super_bowl_li_win/s1_12680_25978424
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/nevada_8217s_comeback_win_over_cincinnati_more_improbable_than_patriots_8217_super_bowl_li_win/s1_12680_25978424Nevada's comeback win over Cincinnati more improbable than Patriots' Super Bowl LI winhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/nevada_8217s_comeback_win_over_cincinnati_more_improbable_than_patriots_8217_super_bowl_li_win/s1_12680_25978424http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/d/3d86726015ab3dc9c745ec9deb40582d770e35c6/top_story/10718177.jpgNo. 7 Nevada storm back to stun No. 2 CincinnatiThe Nevada Wolf Pack aren’t messing. Sure they wouldn’t cause the first upset of the day, but perhaps it’s the most surprising. Okay, well, Texas A&M blowing out North Carolina is something. But Syracuse shutting down Michigan State certainly gets some eyes as well.However, Nevada would trail Cincinnati by 22 at one point. Then in the second half, the Wolf Pack would cap a 16-0 run with this. But it doesn’t stop there. Then Josh Hall would hit THIS, ultimately stunning the Bearcats. Despite shooting just 56.3 percent from the line, the Wolf Pack are moving on. Up next, they take on No. 11 Loyola. Are you ready? In the meantime, here’s a video of head coach Eric Musselman running into the locker room with his shirt off.18 Mar 2018 20:44:15 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_nevada_storm_back_to_stun_no_2_cincinnati/s1_11773_25978391
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_nevada_storm_back_to_stun_no_2_cincinnati/s1_11773_25978391No. 7 Nevada storm back to stun No. 2 Cincinnatihttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_nevada_storm_back_to_stun_no_2_cincinnati/s1_11773_25978391http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f16e541753d59d7f5fd80fc77afcc28ba216eefa/top_story/10718158.jpgEric Musselman was a maniac in his postgame interviewNobody was loving Nevada’s comeback victory over Cincinnati in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday more than the Wolf Pack’s head coach, Eric Musselman.Musselman was so pumped after his squad overcame a 22-point deficit to the Bearcats that he was yelling during his postgame interview on TNT like he was cutting a wrestling promo. Check it out: As if that interview didn’t show you how hyped Musselman was, the coach was sure to let you know later. He strolled into the locker room with his shirt off: It should come as no surprise then that Musselman was dropping F-bombs on TV after his team’s first round win. Players would probably love to go play for a coach with that kind of energy.18 Mar 2018 20:42:32 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/eric_musselman_was_a_maniac_in_his_postgame_interview/s1_127_25978355
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/eric_musselman_was_a_maniac_in_his_postgame_interview/s1_127_25978355Eric Musselman was a maniac in his postgame interviewhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/eric_musselman_was_a_maniac_in_his_postgame_interview/s1_127_25978355http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/9/d9a7ea09dfb83a4c5b96ce4e26b4e49f93e7a33e/top_story/10717903.jpgNo. 7 Texas A&M blowout No. 2 North CarolinaAnother day, another upset in the NCAA Tournament. Not only did Syracuse top Michigan State on Sunday, but Texas A&M went over on North Carolina. But that’s not all. They would absolutely roll over them—86-65. And like Michigan State, UNC could not shoot to save their tournament lives. They would finish 26-of-78 (33.3 percent) from the field while shooting just 19.4 percent (6-of-31) from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Aggies would shoot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) from the field and 10-of-24 (41.7 percent) from three-point range.Up next, Texas A&M takes on Michigan. Can they keep going? Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Roy Williams and the Tar Heels.18 Mar 2018 19:57:08 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_texas_a_m_blowout_no_2_unc/s1_11773_25978079
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_texas_a_m_blowout_no_2_unc/s1_11773_25978079No. 7 Texas A&M blowout No. 2 North Carolinahttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_7_texas_a_m_blowout_no_2_unc/s1_11773_25978079http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/8/f865ad16320315e2a46b0eb8120958ee526e9bdc/top_story/10717429.jpgUMBC files for three trademarks, doubles yearly sales in less than 24 hours after beating VirginiaThe Cinderella story unlike any other before it has led to a financial windfall for the UMBC bookstore. It sold twice as much as it did the entire year in the 24 hours after the team’s historic win over No. 1 seed Virginia, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.To help take advantage of this development, the school has filed for a trio of trademarks, per Rovell, who notes the school didn’t previously have “Retrievers” or “Retriever Nation” trademarked. They also filed to trademark “16 over 1.”“With all the attention, it made sense for us to take care of it right away,” UMBC athletic director Tim Hall said.As Rovell notes, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office could take up to a year to approve these trademarks. However, in the meantime the school can at least, “make a case against the many opportunists putting its name and logo on T-shirts this week without giving the school a cut.”The Retrievers are set to take on Kansas State Sunday night to try and punch a ticket to the Sweet 16. Their foe is heading into the18 Mar 2018 19:20:18 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/umbc_files_for_three_trademarks_doubles_yearly_sales_in_less_than_24_hours_after_beating_virginia/s1_12680_25977761
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/umbc_files_for_three_trademarks_doubles_yearly_sales_in_less_than_24_hours_after_beating_virginia/s1_12680_25977761UMBC files for three trademarks, doubles yearly sales in less than 24 hours after beating Virginiahttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/umbc_files_for_three_trademarks_doubles_yearly_sales_in_less_than_24_hours_after_beating_virginia/s1_12680_25977761http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/4/142d986dcb0112d417b0bef441f4c6771b1f0283/top_story/10712878.jpgLoyola's Sister Jean offers hilarious quote about newfound fameSister Jean is one of the stars of the 2018 NCAA Tournament and a huge part of the Loyola Ramblers’ incredible Cinderella story so far. She’s been a central figure as the team has gone from unheralded 11 seed to slayer of giants during the first two rounds of action with her sweet words and kind face. She’s even gotten a shout-out from none other than former president Barack Obama.On Sunday Sister Jean was approached by reporters and was asked about her new national fame. Her response was just incredible, and it shows off her amazing sense of humor. After Loyola’s win over Tennessee to reach the Sweet 16 we will all be treated to at least another week of her goodness and charm.18 Mar 2018 18:33:24 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/loyola_8217s_sister_jean_offers_hilarious_quote_about_newfound_fame/s1_12680_25977374
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/loyola_8217s_sister_jean_offers_hilarious_quote_about_newfound_fame/s1_12680_25977374Loyola's Sister Jean offers hilarious quote about newfound famehttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/loyola_8217s_sister_jean_offers_hilarious_quote_about_newfound_fame/s1_12680_25977374http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/e/aef421b5a240f453febfe6a4b40aa7e5363ce631/top_story/10715053.jpgTom Izzo mismanaged end of Michigan State upsetMichigan State coach Tom Izzo couldn’t find a way to get his team better looks late in their loss to Syracuse — but he left two of his key players on the bench during crunch time.Izzo leaned on sixth-year senior Ben Carter in the center of the Syracuse zone late in the 55-53 loss while freshman Jaren Jackson Jr. and sophomore Nick Ward sat on the bench.Jackson is a projected lottery pick, and Ward had put up 10 points in 16 minutes of action before Izzo relegated him to cheerleader duty down the stretch.In fact, Syracuse’s Braedon Bayer, a former walk-on pressed into duty due to foul trouble after playing just 11 minutes all season, ended up seeing more time on the floor during the second half than Ward did. Izzo did, however, entrust Carter with playing in the middle of the zone. Carter hadn’t played double-digit minutes since November, but Izzo gave him 23 here, surpassing his previous season-high of 19. He scored only two points, and in one notable moment, he seemed to have a good look at the top of the ke18 Mar 2018 18:28:25 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/tom_izzo_mismanaged_end_of_michigan_state_upset/s1_127_25977359
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/tom_izzo_mismanaged_end_of_michigan_state_upset/s1_127_25977359Tom Izzo mismanaged end of Michigan State upsethttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/tom_izzo_mismanaged_end_of_michigan_state_upset/s1_127_25977359http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/5/251687694a7ece9069bbc5e9ad255c05a3b3c17d/top_story/10717067.jpgSteph Curry hooks UMBC up with new unreleased shoes for big gameUMBC got a special delivery ahead of their second-round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday night.The Retrievers, who pulled a historic upset over top-seeded Virginia on Friday night, are sponsored by Under Armour for their apparel. Steph Curry is Under Armour’s most well known basketball player, so they did some collaboration. Curry sent UMBC some unreleased shoes and new swag for their game: The launch for the Curry 5 sneaker was on March 14, but there was a limited release that day (314 pairs on Pi Day). The rest of the shoes are expected to be made available in April. For now, UMBC will be putting them on display.18 Mar 2018 18:01:03 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/steph_curry_hooks_umbc_up_with_new_unreleased_shoes_for_big_game/s1_127_25977257
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/steph_curry_hooks_umbc_up_with_new_unreleased_shoes_for_big_game/s1_127_25977257Steph Curry hooks UMBC up with new unreleased shoes for big gamehttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/steph_curry_hooks_umbc_up_with_new_unreleased_shoes_for_big_game/s1_127_25977257http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/7/27b191a225fde6f2d72916255c25f6a5e9efb02d/top_story/10712560.jpgJim Boeheim shuts door on Michigan State with perfect strategyJim Boeheim was not about to let his Syracuse Orange end up on “One Shining Moment” for allowing the latest March Madness buzzer-beater.Michigan State went completely cold at the end of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second-round game against the Orange. They missed 14 straight shots to finish the game and blew a lead they had held nearly the entire contest.But what was so brilliant about Boeheim is that he instructed his team to foul on Michigan State’s final few possessions, which prevented the Spartans from having an attempt to tie the game with a three-pointer. Instead, the Spartans ended up at the free throw line.Though Matt McQuaid and Cassius Winston made both of their free throws for the Spartans, the closest they could come to Syracuse was within one. Tyus Battle making two free throws helped the Orange push the lead back to three. But fouling Michigan State and putting them at the line ensured they would not have a shot to tie the game with a wild three like in the Michigan-Houston game.Michigan State sho18 Mar 2018 17:54:24 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_shuts_door_on_michigan_state_with_perfect_strategy/s1_127_25977119
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_shuts_door_on_michigan_state_with_perfect_strategy/s1_127_25977119Jim Boeheim shuts door on Michigan State with perfect strategyhttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/jim_boeheim_shuts_door_on_michigan_state_with_perfect_strategy/s1_127_25977119http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/c/6cd0a4316965a98b9da5add060192332327fb20a/top_story/10716889.jpgPurdue shouts out Butler’s Kelan Martin for show of sportsmanship after gameButler suffered a heartbreaking loss to Purdue in the Round of 32 on Sunday, which makes a gesture that Bulldogs leading scorer Kelan Martin made after the game even cooler.Purdue shouted out the senior forward on Twitter for coming aboard their bus outside the arena following their 76-73 win over Butler and wishing them good luck in the Sweet Sixteen. The No. 10-seeded Bulldogs battled the No. 2-seeded Boilermakers for all 40 minutes on Sunday and came a halfcourt heave at the buzzer away from tying the game. For Martin, who led the team in points (21.0), rebounds (6.3), and threes a game (2.7) this season, this proved to be his final game at the college level. His show of grace and humility towards Purdue won’t soon be forgotten though, not unlike others that we have seen in this year’s tournament as well.18 Mar 2018 17:31:22 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/purdue_shouts_out_butlers_kelan_martin_for_show_of_sportsmanship_after_game/s1_127_25976966
http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/purdue_shouts_out_butlers_kelan_martin_for_show_of_sportsmanship_after_game/s1_127_25976966Purdue shouts out Butler’s Kelan Martin for show of sportsmanship after gamehttp://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/purdue_shouts_out_butlers_kelan_martin_for_show_of_sportsmanship_after_game/s1_127_25976966http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/0/607395f826708868d02f623ee2fcb4c3aa78f168/top_story/10716619.jpg